Burn by Ellie Goulding by itself is such a catchy song. Every time I hear it, there is this compulsive tendency to sing along with her. But the song also brings back precious memories every time I hear it.

It was new year’s eve about three years back and two of my friends and I decided to celebrate by going out to dinner to a one of its kind pub in Mumbai. Known as the Local, it was very intriguing because this was one of those beat-down looking places from the outside which has a new password every week which you need to know to gain entry. Even the inside was furnished with bare minimum choosing to keep the decor very rustic. But that somehow just increased it’s appeal a lot more.

It was here after we had finished eating our meal and were enjoying our drinks about 15 minutes away from embracing the new year that I first heard this song. I knew right then that it was going to be one of those songs which I played on repeat for the rest of the week. The Local has a mezzanine with tables there as well and unfortunately they didn’t have a separate dance area. But with it being new year’s eve and with songs like this being played, you inevitably end up dancing. So that’s what we did. In the small space between two tables the three of us got up and started dancing. By then the patrons on the three other tables also joined us and that’s how we brought in the new year.

So every time I hear this song I’m reminded of this night, right from trying to find this inconspicuous looking pub, to my friend getting hit on by some bloke, to the journey back home, to walking the roads in Matunga bare-foot because I couldn’t stand the stilettos anymore and to going home together and teasing my friend a bit more about the way she got hit on. All in all, this was easily one of the best nights ever.